French Campaign Heats Up in Homestretch

Socialist Challenger Hollande’s Advantage Narrows in Opinion Polls, but He Still Holds Solid Lead Over PResident Sarkozy

By Gabrielle Parussini and William Horobin

PARIS–“French President Nicolas Sarkozy and Socialist candidate Francois Hollande entered the final stretch of the country’s presidential race on Sunday, with the incumbent courting far-right voters and his rival seeking to focus the debate on European issues.”

“Homestretch” and the “final stretch” of a race are racing terms, usually for horse races. but also for cars, and track events, such as the 100 yard dash. This idiomatic use of racing terms helps highlight a presidential race in a headline and first paragraph of a news item.